Hospital mattress and bedpan construction



Oct. 28, 1952 J. M. CORAKAS HOSPITAL MATTRESS AND BEDPAN CONSTRUCTION Filed June 19, 1950 2 SHEETS-S$ET l I; INVENTOR Ja z'e Cora ira' ATTORNEYS d 1952 J. M. CORAKAS 2,615,175

HOSPITAL MATTRESS AND BEDPAN CONSTRUCTION Filed June 19, 1950 I 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Ill/Ill ll INVENTOR Josie MUara/sas ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 28,1952

HOSPITAL MATTRESS AND BEDPAN CONSTRUCTION Josie M. Corakas, Washington, D. 0.

Application June 19, 1950, Serial No. 169,017

1 Claim.

This invention refers to hospital mattress and bed pan constructions, and has for its primary object the provision of an improved mattress provided with a centrally positioned aperture normally closed by a filler plug for which is adapted to be substituted a bed pan assembly when desired.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a construction whereby the bed pan assembly is so arranged as to be substantially flush with the surface of the mattress, thus increasing the patients comfort.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a construction of this character whereby the insertion and removal of the bed pan assembly may be effected with a minimum of effort and difficulty, and whereby the patient need only be moved a minimum amount.

Still another object of the assembly resides in the provision of an improved bed pan assembly whereby contact of any part of the patients body with themetal of the bed pan is positively precluded.

Still other objects reside in the combination of elements, arrangement of parts, and features of construction, all of which will be more fully pointed out hereinafter, and disclosed in the accompanying drawings wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the mattress of the instant invention disclosing the filler plug in position,

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 2--2 of Figure 1, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows,

Figure 3 is an end view of the filler plug.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the center portion of the mattress showing the filler plug removed,

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the center portion of the mattress showing the bed pan assembly in position therein,

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Figure 5 in the direction indicated by the arrows,

Figure '7 is a fragmentary exploded section view of certain elements of the assembly of Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing a structural detail of the assembly of Figure 6.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings in detail there is generally indicated at Ill a mattress which may be of any suitable size, either single or double, which is provided at substantially its center with an aperture H, preferably of rectangular configuration, which aperture is normally adapted to be filled by a filler plug [2. The mattress construction preferably comprises a body portion [3 comprised entirely of sponge rubber and normally covered by conventional ticking I4 of any desired composition, such as cotton or the like. A sheet rubber covering sheet 15 is provided, overlying ticking l4, and adapted to overlap the edges of the mattress as indicated at I6, and be secured thereto as by suitable fasteners I"! such as snap fasteners adapted to engage opposite snap fasteners l8 which extend through the ticking I l. At its center rubber sheet [5 is provided with flange portions it which extend downwardly about the sides of the central aperture ll.

Filler plug [2 is comprised essentially of a body portion 2!], also comprised of sponge rubber surrounded by a ticking cover 2! and totally enveloped in the sheet rubber cover 22 which is provided along one edge With a Zipper fastener 23 whereby the center portion may be removed for any desired purpose, such as replacement of the ticking 2|. Obviously, in the normal use of the device the filler plug 12 remains in position whereby the assembly presents a substantially flush top surface to serve as a normal mattress.

As best shown in Figures 5 to 8, inclusive, a bed pan assembly generally indicated at 25, is adapted to be substituted for filler plug 12 when desired. The bed pan assembly 25 is comprised of an outer substantially rectangular metal pan 2% of substantially the configuration and dimensions of the aperture I i, but of a height less than the thickness of the mattress l0, and provided at its outer extremities with a reverted top wall 21, the lower edge of the reverted portion thereof being spaced from the interior of the side wall. Adapted to be positioned around the outer reverted edge 21 is a hard rubber collar 28, including a central bead 29 adapted to be positioned within the reverted edge 21 of the outer pan, and including an outer substantially semi-circular covering portion 39 adapted to overlie the top edge of pan 2B in substantially its entirety. Positioned centrally and interiorly of pan 26 and resting on the bottom thereof is a bed pan 3| of conventional size and dimensions, the outer pan 26 being so dimensioned as to leave a space entirely surrounding the bed pan 3|. Into this space is adapted to be inserted a sponge rubber filler or plug 32 formed as best shown in Figures 6 and 7, with an interior channel 33 formed about a central aperture of a configuration adapted entirely to surround bed pan 3|, the outer configuration of filler 32 substantially corresponding to the inner configuration of pan 26. 'It will thus be seen that when the pan 3| is positioned within filler 32 and the latter positioned within pan 26, a slight compression of the sponge rubber of the filler is occasioned thus holding the bed pan securely against slippage or disalignment even when the assembly is tilted such as might be occasioned when removing the same from the aperture II.

A second sponge rubber member 34 is also provided, the combined thickness of members 32 and 34 being substantially equal to or slightly less than that of mattress In. Member 34 has a centrally positioned aperture 31 of substantially the configuration of bed pan 3|. Member 34 is provided with an outer rectangular flange 35 of dimensions and configuration substantially equal to the corresponding dimensions of aperture l l, and extending about the perimeter of member 34 is a groove or channel 36 adapted to fit snugly about the exterior of collar 23 secured about the upper reverted edge of pan 26. It will thus be seen that when the assembly is in position collar 28 and reverted edge 21 serve to securely hold the member 34 against displacement while this latter member correspondingly serves to hold filler 32 and its associated bed pan against vertical disassembly relative to the outer pan 26.

It will thus be seen that there is herein provided a bed pan assembly which may be associated with a mattress having an aperture therein, and correspondingly removed therefrom without any possibility of slippage of the parts thereof such as might result in spilling the contents and which when in position in such an aperture positively precludes contact of any part of the patients body with the metal elements thereof and which further presents a substantially smooth, and except for the central aperture of the member 34, unbroken surface for a mattress.

It will also be seen that there is herein provided a construction which accomplishes all the ob- 4 jeots of this invention and others including many advantages of practical utility and commercial importance.

The mattress herein disclosed is particularly desirable for incontinent patients as the patient may be left on the bed pan for an indefinite period without danger of bedsores. This mattress will also produce a very substantial saving in linen and will effect improved sanitation for the patient and the attendants.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What I claim is:

A bed pan assembly adapted for insertion in the aperture of a centrally apertured mattress comprised of an outer pan conforming to the dimensions of said aperture, a reverted rim around said pan, a hard rubber collar including a bead reverted oppositely to said rim engageable Within the reverted portion of said rim, an inner bed pan, a sponge rubber filler between said pans and an apertured sponge rubber pad having a channel about the edge thereof overlying said inner bed pan, said collar seating in said channel, said pad having a flange overlying said channel and extending outwardly of the rim of said outer pan.

J OSIE M. CORAKAS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,107,683 Malarkey Aug. 15, 1914 2,116,560 Chambers May 10, 1938 2,188,844 Pedersen Jan. 30, 1940 2,218,572 Dry Oct. 22, 1940 2,224,353 Lavfenburg Dec. 10, 1940 2,320,845 Bolton June 1, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 144,191 Austria Dec. 27, 1935 

